It's a big island, so yes there are many desolate areas (I'd say more so in the wildlife refuge areas) but I am curious as if there is a population listed for that area( just the island)??
Your friend google called me; they asked me to pass this on.
Today …
The island is approximately 24,000 acres—about 15 miles long and about four miles wide, almost the same size and shape as Manhattan. The northern 12,000 acres are owned by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and managed as the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area. The lakes and natural areas are a major stop on the Pacific Flyway and a bird-watching mecca. The southern half of the island is graced by farmland, including Century Farms (some that still bear the names of the early pioneers), farmers’ markets, an organic CSA (community-supported agriculture) and many U-picks. In 2008, a new bridge was dedicated by Multnomah County, its main span floated downriver in a memorable spectacle. With flat roadways, the island is popular with bicyclists and joggers.
Sandy beaches on the Columbia draw warm-weather crowds, and the island is also renowned for hiking, hunting, fishing, and boating. There are not many places on earth where at sunrise you can go on a bald eagle watch and count a dozen bald eagles, paddle midday on a lake whose shores brim with wapato steeped in history, and at sunset travel a half hour into town to an elegant theater and watch Baryshnikov dance.
The island’s population: about 445 households and 312 species of wildlife. Sauvie Island is a unique place, indeed.
http://sauvieisland.org/visitor-information/history/
But NO gas stations! That is so weird!
Not really. About a mile or so down Hwy 30 (with significant vehicle traffic) is the neighborhood of Linnton. You can fuel up there. Ironically, there are fuel storage tanks all along the river there... bring your siphon hose!
There's no 'support' businesses on the island at all.. simply not enough population. The 'store' is like a convenience store. But it is handy if you haven't purchased your parking permit before going out.